Exhaust gas conditioner



Aug. 26, 1958 J. P. RUTH EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER Filed Aug. 15, 1955Fig. l

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INVENTOR. Joseph P. ufh

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ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 2,849,294 Patented Aug. 26, 19582,849,294 EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER Joseph P. Ruth, Denver, Colo.

Application August 15, 1955, Serial No. 528,207

8 Claims. (Cl. 23-284) As a development from and an improvement over thetechniques pertinent to and apparatus appropriate for the conditioningof internal combustion engine exhaust gases as taught in my Patents No.2,611,680, dated September 23, 1952, and No. 2,678,261, dated May 11,1954, and in my pending applications for Patent Serial No. 396,049,filed December 3, 1953, Serial No. 462,891, filed October 18, 1954,Serial No. 465,790, filed November 1, 1954, and Serial No. 488,099,filed February 14, 1955, the instant invention relates to means for thetreatment of internal combustion engine exhaust gases, and moreespecially the exhaust gases from diesel-type engines, for suppressionand elimination of the irritant and noxious properties thereof, and hasan object to provide novel and improved apparatus employable for theconditioning of such exhaust gases with facility, advantage, andimproved ameliorative result.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedexhaust gas conditioner operable to effect successive multipleexpansions of gases passed therethrough under the influence of thenormal gas output pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedexhaust gas conditioner effective to repetitiously expose gases passedtherethrough under the influence of their normal output pressure tointimate contact and admixture with ameliorating agencies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedexhaust gas conditioner adapted for operative association with a sourceor supply of water in a manner effective to maintain the unit inefficient operating throughout extended periods of use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction and correlation of elements constituting an exhaust gasconditioner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedexhaust gas conditioner that is simple and relatively inexpensive ofproduction in sizes appropriate for operative association withparticular engines, that is convenient of installation in desired useassociation with either fixed or mobile engines, that is facile ofservicing, maintenance, and rehabilitation, that is durable andlonglived in practical use, and that is efficient in attainment of theends for which designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists inthe construction arrangement, and operative combination of elements ashereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by theaccompanying drawing, in Which Figure 1 is a vertical section takenaxially through a typical exhaust gas conditioner exemplifying theprinciples of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the organization according to Figure1 taken substantially on the indicated line 22 of said latter view.

Figure 3 is a cross section through and subtsanti-ally on the indicatedline 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail section, on a relatively enlargedscale, taken substantially on the indicated line 4-4 of Figure 1.

As is disclosed in my earlier Patent No. 2,611,680, a methodsatisfactorily effective for the suppression and elimination of inimicaland undesirable properties characteristic of internal combustion engineexhaust gases is distinguished by circulation of the gases under thesole influence of their output pressures through a body of water andsubsequently through an intersticed diffusing bed or medium capable, asrepetitiously washed and wetted by the gas-water mixture, ofneutralizing the acidity of the wetted gases, collecting the drip andcondensate from the diffusing bed or medium in and for reuse with thewater body, and venting the scrubbed and modified gases to atmosphere.Using broken limeroclc, or the equivalent, as a diffusing medium, themethod taught by the patent above noted operates to cool, cleanse, andmodify exhaust gas fumes, and particularly those from diesel-typeengines, to a degree qualifying the treated gases for delivery withinunderground workings and other confined spaces where humans are activewithout adverse effect upon, or hazard to, those present. However, ithas been determined that the ameliorating effectiveness of the exhaustgas treatment accomplished as above set forth is directly related to theintimacy and pervasiveness of the gas-water contact established, to thehydrogen ion concentration of the water first encountered by theincoming gases, and to the removal of entrained water from the treatedgases prior to their release to atmosphere. Practical application of therealizations just mentioned has resulted in the refinements of theoriginal method disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 488,099.Such refinements include exposure of the water body to, and circulationthereof through, an intersticed diffusing bed or medium efiective toneutralize any acidity in the water first contacted by the incominggases, thus to enhance the intimacy and completeness of the resultinggas-water mixture, and successive expansions of the gas-water mixture,both prior and subsequent to entrainment of the vapors through anintersticed diffusing bed or medium remote from the water body, wherebyto further enhance the intimacy and completeness of the gas-watercontact, to facilitate condensation of entrained water and removalthereof from the gas stream, and to repetitiously retard the velocity ofthe gas stream with consequent improved separation of entrained solids,such as carbon particles and the like, therefrom, all in reaction to andas an incident of circulation of the gases under the influence of theiroutput pressures alone.

The water charge utilized in practice of the con jitioning method beingsubject to depletion and the presence of an adequate body of water beingsiginifiant to the effectiveness of the method, a factor of consequenceis maintenance of the water body in appropriate quantity duringprolonged use of the method for the treatment of exhaust gases from theengines of mobile units, such as buses, trucks, locomotives, and thelike, operating away from convenient access to recharging facilities.

Facilitating practice of the method disclosed in my patent and pendingapplication above noted, the instant invention is directed to theprovision of a novel and improved conditioner unit characterized byunique structure and structural relationships particularly adapting itfor eflicient use through extended time periods in operative associationwith mobile engine installations.

In the construction of the improved conditioner unit as shown, aseparable housing is represented as comprised from a relatively-deep,cylindrical lower member 10 formed with an open upper end and a closedbottom 11 adjacent which a normally-plugged drain aperture 12 isprovided, and a tubular member 13, axially shorter than the member 10,whereof the lower end is open and registrable with the upper end of themember and the upper end is furnished with a closure plate 14 detachablysecured thereto. The coacting ends of the members 10 and 13 arepreferably flanged to engage with a partition plate 15 clampabletherebetween in transversely-obstructing relation with the interior ofthe housing, as by means of bolts 16 through the housing member flanges,and said plate 15 is imperforate save for a central aperture,hereinafter more particularly described, and a drain opening at one sideof said plate delivering to a tube 17 depending from fixed relation withsaid plate to an open lower end spacedly above the bottom closure 11.The housing member 10 is adapted to confine a charge of water well abovethe lower end of the tube 17 and to a level conveniently determinable bynormallyj-plugged, vertically-spaced drain ports 18. A line 19 leadingfrom a source or supply of water, such as a pressurized or gravity feedtank susceptible of translation with the engine to be served by theconditioner, is sealed through a wall of the member 10 above the watercharge level therein for delivery of water interiorly of the housingthrough a float-controlled valve 20 operable in a usual manner to openthe line 19 for admission of water when the level within the housing islowered and to close said line when the level of the water charge is atthe desired height.

Functionally identical with and structurally analogous to the pump meansreactive to exhaust gas input as shown in my pending application SerialNo. 488,099, a short tubular sleeve 21 fixedly upstands centrally fromthe bottom 11 interiorly of the housing member 10 in telescopicengagement with the open lower end of a tubular conduit 22 therebymounted coaxially of the member 10 in a length such as to terminate inan open end somewhat below the plane of the partition plate 15.Vertically-elongated apertures 23 open in diametric registration throughthe sides of the conduit 22 above and immediately adjacent the upperedge of the sleeve 21 as water inlet passages from the member 10 to thebase of the conduit, and material struck from the apertures 23 is bentto project from the lower ends of the said apertures inwardly andradially of the conduit 22 as angularly-separated arms 24. Input of theexhaust gases to the base of the conduit 22 within the sleeve 21 andbelow the arms 24 is had through a flow line 25 connected to and as anextension of the exhaust gas line 26 of the engine to be served throughan appropriate fitting 27; said line 25 being of less maximum diameterthan the interior diameter of the conduit 22 and being sealed throughthe top closure 14 of the housing member 13 coaxially of andtelescopically within the conduit 22 to terminate in an open lower endwithin the sleeve 21 and below the plane of the arms 24 at the lower endof conduit. Thus, water from the interior of the housing member 10 beingfree to enter through the apertures 23 to fill the sleeve 21 and thelower end of the conduit 22, exhaust gases incoming through the lines 25and 26 are delivered from the lower end of the line 25 with a pumpingeffect on the column of water about said. line interiorly of the conduitoperable to develop an intimate mixture of water and gases and todischarge the same through the open upper end of the conduit about theline 25 and below the level of the partition plate 15. The gas inputcircuit constituted by the lines 25 and 26 and the fitting 27 isequipped exteriorly of the housing with a check valve 28 reactive topressure obtaining within the circuit to open the latter to atmospherewhen the gas flow pressure is less than atmospheric and to close thecircuit away from atmosphere when the circuit flow pressure is aboveatmospheric, whereby to inhibit induction of water from the chargewithin the member 10 through said circuit under any engine operatingconditions.

Fixed centrally to and closing at its upper end against the closureplate 14 of the housing member 13, a tubular hood 29 spacedly andcoaxially surrounds the flow line 25 in an interior diameter greaterthan the exterior diameter of the conduit 22 and depends loosely andfreely through the central aperture of the partition plate 15 in spaced,telescopic association with the upper end of said conduit to terminatein an open lower end below the upper end of the conduit and above thehighest operating level of the water charge within the housing member10, thus to provide a restricted annular passage between the lower endof the hood and the upper end of the conduit wherethrough discharge fromthe latter, initially received with expansive effect within the hood 29,is impelled to pass with momentarily-enhanced velocity to reception anda second expansion within the space at the upper end of the housingmember 10 between the surface of the water charge and the partitionplate 15.

Sealed at its lower end to and peripherally about the central aperturethrough the partition plate 15, a tubular sleeve 30 upstands in aninterior diameter greater than the exterior diameter of the hood 29coaxially with and spacedly about the latter to terminate in an openupper end adjacent and spacedly below the closure plate 14, whereby todefine a restricted annular passage through which the vapors expandedwithin the space below the partition plate 15 may travel with enhancedvelocity to expand within the space at the upper end of the housingmember 13. The interior of the housing member 13 is divided by means ofan imperforate, inverted, frusto-conical baffie 31 which is sealedperipherally of its major base area to the upper end of said memberadjacent the closure plate 14 and inclines inwardly and downwardly ofthe member to disposition of its open lesser base area spacedly aboutthe sleeve 30 a short distance above the partition plate 15. The openlesser base area of the baflle 31 cooperates with the sleeve 30 todefine yet another restricted annular throat or passage through whichthe vapors delivered from the sleeve 30 to the upper portion of thehousing member 13 are constrained to pass with enhanced velocity for afinal expansion within the space between the partition plate 15 andbafile 31 prior to ultimate discharge from the housing assembly throughone or more ports or lines 32. Thus provision is made for theapplication of the exhaust gas pressures to effect a thorough andintimate admixture of the gas with water from the charge within thehousing member 10 and for successive entrainment of the resulting vaporsthrough a series of restricted passages separating expansion phasesoperable to cool the vapors, to dewater the same, to stimulate releaseof entrained solid particles therefrom, and to enhance the intimacy ofgas and water vapor contact, all prior to delivery of gases toatmosphere and all in reaction to the input pressures of the gasesalone.

Supplementing the corrective action of the organization as thus fardescribed and for the separation and elimination of noxious propertiescharacteristic of exhaust gas fumes, provision is made for chemicalmodification of the gases by means of difiusing beds of appropriatematerials, such as broken limerock. The wet exhaust gases have an acidnature which is transferred to the water charge of the housing withadverse effect upon the desired operation of the conditioner, unlesscorrected. Counteractive of acid concentration in the water charge andto maintain the latter in condition for the desired reaction with theincoming gases, the lower portion of the housing member 10 about thelower end of the conduit 22 is filled with a charge 33 of brokenlimcrock, or the equivalent, in a depth adequate to rise above theapertures 23 of the conduit 22 and also above the lower end of the draintube 17. The charge 33 might operate to restrict desired feed of waterto and through the apertures 23 in a quantity adequate for reaction withthe incoming gases, and any such possible restriction of the water feedto the lower end of the conduit is obviated by an inverted cup 34 ofreticulate or foraminous material surrounding the lower end of theconduit 22 and its supporting sleeve 21 within the charge 33 just abovethe bottom 11. The cup 34 acts to hold the material of the charge 33somewhat away from the base of the conduit 22 for the provision of achamber at all times charged with water immediately adjacent and forfeed to the lower end of the conduit. With the charge 33 and cup 34present in the arrangement shown and described, water from the chargewithin the housing member percolates through the charge 33 where it isfreed from entrained solids and neutralized as to acidity prior tocollection within the up 34 reuse as pumped upwardly through the conduit22 in reaction to the incoming gases.

Entrained water and solids in the vapors discharged from the lower endof the hood 29 return to the water charge within the housing member 10as said vapors expand in the space beneath the partition plate 15, thuspartially conditioning the exhaust gases for ultimate discharge. Themoist vapors uprising through and delivered from the annular throat atthe upper end of the sleeve 30 are further neutralized as to acidity anddewatered by means of a diffusing charge 35, of broken limerock, or thelike, carried by the bafite 31, about the sleeve 30' in substantiallyfilling relation with the space between said bafile and the closureplate 14. The vapors expanded from the upper end of the sleeve 30 carrymoisture sufiicient to maintain the surfaces of the charge 35constituents washed and wet for such reaction with the acidcharacteristic of the gases as to completely neutralize the same, anddiffusion of the vapors through the charge 35 acts to scrub the gasesfree from entrained particles, to stimulate condensation of moisture outof the gas stream, and to complete such treatment of the gases asrenders them innocuous when discharged to atmosphere. The finalexpansion of the gases within the space of the housing member 13 beneaththe bafile 31 releases condensed water and any entrained particles forcollection upon the partition plate 15, from which, in common with thedrip from the lower end of the baffie 31, such released material isreturned to and within the charge 33 of the housing member 10 by meansof the drain tube 17.

As should be manifest, the improved conditioner is compact in structure,adaptable for expedient association with and to treat the exhaust gasesfrom mobile engines, and is adapted for operative correlation with areserve supply of water in a manner to insure efficient operation of theunit through long periods of time.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction,and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood asbeing limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than byany details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform lovel spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to dis charge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the watercharge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, and sleeve and battle meansin' the housing upper member defining a succession of expansion chambersintercommunicating through restricted passages as a vapor travel pathbetween the lower end of said'hood and said outlet.

2. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, sleeve and battle means inthe housing upper member defining a succession of expansion chambersintercommunicating through restricted passages as a vapor travel pathbetween the lower end of said hood and said outlet, and a diffusing bedof alkaline material baffle-supported about associated sleeve means inthe path of vapor travel through one of said expansion chambers.

3. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the Water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, sleeve and bat-fie means inthe housing upper member defining a succession of expansion chambersintercommunicating through restricted passages as a vapor travel pathbetween the lower end of said hood and said outlet, a diffusing bed ofalkaline material baflle-supported about associated sleeve means in thepath of vapor travel through one of said expansion chambers, a separatediffusing :bed of alkaline material in the lower portion of said lowerhousing member about said tube assembly, and means spacedly about thebase of said tube assembly within said latter bed defining anunobstructed supply chamber surrounding the intake to the outer of saidtubes.

4. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, sleeve and bafile means inthe housing upper member defining a succession of expansion chambersintercommunicating through restricted passages as a vapor travel pathbetween the lower end of said hood and said outlet, a difiusing bed ofalkaline material baffle-supported about associated sleeve means in thepath of vapor travel through one of said expansion chambers, a separatediflusing bed of alkaline material in the lower portion of the lowerhousing member closing about said tube assembly, and an inverted cup ofwater-pervious material spacedly about the base of said tube assemblywithin said latter bed defining an unobstructed supply chamber about theintake to the outer of said tubes.

5. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, a sleeve fixedly upstandingfrom said partition spacedly and concentrically about said hood toestablish a restricted flow passage between the upper and lower membersof said housing, and a baflle adapted to support a difiusing bed ofalkaline material dividing the upper housing member into upper and lowercompartments communicating through a restricted passage exterior of saidsleeve, whereby to dispose said bed in the path of vapor travel throughsaid expansion chambers.

6. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a' partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, a sleeve fixedly upstandingfrom said partition spacedlytand concentrically about said hood toestablish a restricted flow passage between the upper and lower membersof said housing, a bafile adapted to support a diffusing bed of alkalinematerial dividing the upper housing member into upper and lowercompartments communicating through a restricted' passage exterior ofsaid sleeve, whereby to dispose said bed in the path of vapor travelthrough said expansion chambers, a drain return from the lower saidcompartment to the lower housing member through said partition, aseparate diffusing bed of alkaline material in the lower portion of saidlower housing member about said tube assembly, and means spacedly aboutthe base of said tube assembly within said latter bed defining anunobstructed supply chamber surrounding the intake to the outer of saidtubes.

7. An exhaust gas conditioner comprising an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermember, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the water charge, a hoodclosed at one end against and depending from the housing top closureloosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperation withthe delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, an outletto atmosphere from the upper housing member, a sleeve fixedly upstandingfrom said partition spacedly and concentrically about said hood toestablish a restricted flow passage between the upper and lower membersof said housing, a bafile adapted to support a diffusing bed of alkalinematerial dividing the upper housing member into upper and lowercompartments communicating through a restricted passage exterior of saidsleeve, whereby to dispose said bed in the path of vapor travel throughsaid expansion chambers, a drain return from the lower said compartmentto the lower housing'member through said partition, a separate diffusingbed of alkaline material in the lower portion of said lower housingmember about said tube assembly, and an inverted cup of water-perviousmaterial spacedly about the base of said tube assembly within saidlatter bed defining an unobstructed supply chamber about the intake tothe outer of said tubes.

8. In an exhaust gas conditioner having an upright housing formed withtop and bottom closures, a partition transversely dividing said housinginto a lower member adapted to confine a charge of water and an uppermemher, a water supply line serving said lower member through afloat-controlled valve operable to maintain water therein at asubstantially uniform level spacedly subjacent said partition, meanscharacterized by a concentric tube assembly upstanding centrally of saidlower member from the bottom closure thereof in communication throughthe lower end of the outer tube with the lower housing member interioradapted in reaction to the input of exhaust gases through the inner ofthe tubes to intermix the gases with water entering the outer tube fromthe charge of the lower housing member and to circulate the resultingmixture upwardly between the tubes to discharge in the zone of thehousing lower member between said partition and the .water charge, ahood closed at one end against and depending from the housing topclosure loosely through said partition to spaced, telescopic cooperationwith the delivery end of said tube assembly above the water charge, andan outlet to atmosphere from the upper housing member, means definitiveof a plurality of expansion chambers intercommunicat- References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 996,205 Bregha June 27,1911 2,303,757 Pierson Dec. 1, 1952 2,677,601 Ruth May 4, 1954 2,785,962Ruth Mar. 19, 1957

1. AN EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER COMPRISING AN UPRIGHT HOUSING FORMED WITHTOP AND BOTTOM CLOSURES, A PARTITION TRANSVERSELY DIVIDING SAID HOUSINGINTO A LOWER MEMBER ADAPTED TO CONFINE A CHARGE OF WATER AND AN UPPERMEMBER, A WATER SUPPLY LINE SERVING SAID LOWER MEMBER THROUGH AFLOT-CONTOLLED VALVE OPERAVLE TO MAINTAIN WATER THEREIN AT ASUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM LOVEL, SPACEDLY SUBJACENT SAID PARTITION, MEANSCHARACTERIZED BY A CONCENTRIC TUBE ASSEMBLY UPSTANDING CENTRALLY OF SAIDLOWER MEMBER FROM THE BOTTOM CLOSURE THEREOF IN COMMUNICATION THROUGHTHE LOWER END OF THE OUTER TUBE WITH THE LOWER HOUSING MEMBER INTERIORADAPTED IN REACTION TO THE INPUT OF EXHAUST GASES THROUGH THE INNEER OFTHE TUBES TO INTERMIX THE GASES WITH WATER ENTERING THE OUTER TUBE FROMTHE CHARGE OF THE LOWER HOUSING MEMBER AND TO CIRCULATE THE RESULTINGMIXTURE UPWARDLY BETWEEN THE TUBES TO DISCHARGE IN THE ZONE OF THEHOUSING LOWER MEMBER BETWEEN SAID PARTITION AND THE WATER CHARGE, A HOODCLOSED AT ONE END AGAINST AND DEPENTING FROM THE HOUSING TOP CLOSURELOOSELY THROUGH SAID PARTITION TO SPACED, TELESCOPIC COOPERATION WITHTHE DELIVERY END OF SAID TUBE ASSEMBLY ABOVE THE WATER CHARGE, AN OUTLETTO ATMOSPHERE FROM THE UPPER HOUSING MEMBER, AND SLEEVE AND BAFFLE MEANSIN THE HOUSING UPPER MEMBER DEFINING A SUCCESSION OF EXPANSION CHAMBERSINTERCOMMUNICATING THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGES AS A VAPOR TRAVEL PATHBETWEEN THE LOWER END OF SAID HOOD AND SAID OUTLET.